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Lesson 1

Principalities and Powers

(Job 1, Revelation 12, Zechariah 3, Romans 3)

Introduction: What is most important to you right now? What do you
need to fix or do this week? Sometimes we get so caught up in our own
little world we forget about the fact that we live in a larger
context. There is a controversy between good and evil sweeping all
around us. We are just a little cog in a great and unfolding plan for
the defeat of evil. Let's jump into the Bible and learn more!

Job and the Council

Read Job 1:1-3. Would you like to trade places with Job?
(You should "update" the nature of his wealth in
deciding.)

The scene in our story suddenly changes. Read Job 1:6-7.
What kind of meeting is this?

Where do you think this meeting is taking place?
(Since Satan says he has come "from roaming through
the earth," it seems unlikely this meeting is on
earth. Note that the group is coming to "present
themselves before the Lord." This makes heaven the
likely meeting place.)

Let's look at a little background to better
understand this council meeting. Read Revelation
12:7-9. What kind of history do God and Satan have?
(Things became so bad in heaven that war erupted. The
armies of God and Satan clashed, and God won. Satan
and his army of angels were exiled to the earth.)

If Satan was exiled to earth, does that give us proof
that the meeting described in Job took place on
earth? (Read Revelation 12:10. This makes clear that
there was a time after sin entered our world when
Satan had open access to heaven and he would accuse
humans before God.)

Read Job 1:8-11. What is Satan doing to Job? (Just as
described in Revelation 12, Satan is accusing Job before
God. God praises Job and Satan attacks him. Based on all
we have read, I think this council meeting reported in Job
takes place in heaven.)

You and the Controversy

If a "perfect man" ( Job 1:1 "blameless and upright") is
the subject of Satan's attacks. How about you? What do you
think Satan says about you?

Read Zechariah 3:1-4. Are Satan's accusations true about
Joshua? (Yes. He is "dressed in filthy clothes.")

If they are true about Joshua, would they be true
about you? (The identification of Joshua as the "high
priest" who is "standing" before God (see Deuteronomy
10:8) reminds us of a picture of the high priest
representing the people on the Day of Atonement - the
day when sins were removed from the camp of God's
people. (See Leviticus 16:2-34.) I think this
conversation is symbolically about us - Joshua
represents you.)

What competing work do we see in this example of
Joshua? (Satan accuses us and God stands up for us.)

When a church member accuses another member of
being sinful, is this the work of Satan?

When Joshua is called a "burning stick snatched from
the fire," what elements of our situation does that
highlight? (We were lost - headed for a fiery death.
Jesus "snatched" us from that fate.)

What did Joshua do to be saved from the accusations
of Satan? (He was in the "right place." But,
Zechariah 3:4 clearly states, "I have taken away your
sin." Jesus took away the filthy clothes and gave
Joshua "rich garments.")

Read Hebrews 2:14-18. We just read the situation of Joshua
the High Priest. Which High Priest are we reading about
here? (Jesus. Do you see the transition? Satan accuses
Joshua of sin - and God intervenes to save him. This text
shows that we have a better High Priest in Jesus. (See
Hebrews 8.) Jesus is the High Priest who, instead of being
accused, rebukes Satan who (rightfully) accuses us of our
sins.)

Salvation and the Struggle.

Read Romans 3:21-22. What is the key to being rescued by
God from the accusations of Satan? (Faith in Jesus.)

What does verse 22 mean when it says, "There is no
difference?" (Continue reading Romans 3:23-24. All of
us are sinners and all of us are justified only by
grace.)

Read Romans 3:25-26. What is God's stake in this battle?
Why would Jesus die on our behalf? (God shows us that He
is just.)

I'm reading a book right now which mentions that one
of the characters no longer believes in God because
he thought God was unjust. Is our faith in Jesus
( Romans 3:22) a belief in His justice?

How big an issue is "God's justice" in this
struggle between good and evil?

When Satan accuses us, is he arguing about
justice?

We have this conflict going on. We have seen that Satan is
our accuser, he is on earth and he is angry and twisted.
Is Satan on his "last leg" - just barely limping along?

Overall, how is Satan doing in his work? (Read 1 John
5:19. Jesus has made a way for us to be snatched from
the fire, and to stand justified before God. But,
that does not mean the battle has ended. John says
"the whole world" is under the control of Satan. The
battle between good and evil still rages on.)

Friend, how about you? Are you paying attention to the
struggle between good and evil? Where are you in this
battle? Have you chosen to accept the sacrifice of Jesus
on your behalf? Have you made Him your High Priest? Do you
believe He is just?

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